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Bringing It Home – The Saint Rose Blog

Saint Rose Studies Abroad: Ireland Edition

Studying abroad is one of the most exciting and alluring opportunities a Saint Rose student can experience.

For the next several weeks, we’ll profile many students who studied abroad and learn about their different experiences. Maybe, it will spark your interest. Maybe, you don’t know if studying abroad is right for you. Either way, we encourage you to reach out to the Saint Rose Study Abroad Office at studyabroad@strose.edu. With a world that’s increasingly becoming more intertwined, you won’t regret the experience.

Juliann at Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Germany

Study abroad profile:
Juliann Bardin ’21, communication sciences and disorders (CSD) major

Where did you study abroad?
Dublin, Ireland

Why did you choose to study abroad?
I am curious about other cultures. I’m always searching for new perspectives, and the accessibility of experiencing other cultures in a short period of time made Europe a great choice for me.

How has your experience enhanced or informed what you’re studying at Saint Rose?
As a CSD major, many of the classes abroad were not major-specific, but I managed to get into a language development class where I learned the process of evaluating children in speech pathology in Europe. The standards in the health field and bilingualism in Ireland gave a new perspective in my own career field and opened my eyes to international opportunities.

Juliann at Stirling Castle in Stirling, Scotland

Stirling Castle in Stirling, Scotland

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a student who is contemplating studying abroad?
Don’t be afraid to go places alone. Whether it’s going to a café and reading a book, having a pint in a pub, seeing a play, or traveling to another country, you will always find your people in your setting. Don’t let others hold you back from living your best life! Even if you’re afraid to talk to people, then experiencing the culture will bring a new appreciation to where you are. The more you do something, the easier it becomes. The only way to grow is by stepping out of your comfort zone.

What is the most interesting information you have learned/what have you learned so far?
I’ve learned how to navigate public transportation.

How have you grown as a person by experiencing different cultures or developing new friendships?
I have undoubtedly grown from my experience abroad. Not only do I feel I have a home abroad (I know the city quite well), but I have friends who I shared adventures and experiences with — whether it’s having drinks with a celebrity, dancing on a stage to The Strokes, being twirled around by strangers from different countries, having a picnic in an ancient castle, or kayaking around seals, and overbearing cliffs in the ocean — every experience, big or small, gave me new memories, new relationships, and more reasons to embrace the unknown. I found myself comfortable with being uncomfortable, because every experience is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and this world we live in.

Juliann overlooking The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

Study Abroad Tips:

suitcase with feet beside it

  • It’s imperative that students start thinking about their trip as early as their first year at the College. Some majors have strict course requirements that are not offered overseas. Students should plan ahead and save their general education credits for their experience abroad.
  • Our students’ financial aid packages follow them wherever they choose to go. That does not mean they shouldn’t save their money! Once they settle into their new college, they won’t stay put for long. One of the many benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to explore — they’ll never know when a spontaneous trip to Paris might pop up!
  • When our students return from their adventures, their wanderlust stays with them. You can often find them hanging out at the Center for International Programs, volunteering at ESL programs, or attending one of the many events that the center sponsors.

What do you think?

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